Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island is the heart of the city. Most of the action is on the north coast of the island, a thin strip of land between sea and mountain, albeit one that has grown considerably through land reclamation. Especially when seen at night from the Kowloon side, the tightly packed skyscrapers offer a heart-stopping panorama.

The great majority of Hong Kong Island's development is packed on the northern shore. In order from west to east, the major centres of what has fused into a solid mass of buildings are Kennedy Town, Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and North Point. As you might guess from the name, Central is the focal point with the highest skyscrapers and tallest buildings, while the scenery becomes more low-rise and residential the further away you travel.

Leading up from Central is the Escalator and the Peak Tram, which pass through the hip district of Soho and the residential mid levels. Up top is The Peak, the tallest point on the island and traditional residence of the governors, and thus still the most expensive place on the island to live (monthly rents can easily top $100,000).

Hong Kong Island consists of many small districts, however for administration purposes the Island is broken down into four areas.

Wan Chai

Central and Western

Eastern

Southern

What to See and Do

The Peak

Overlooking the Victoria Harbour from the island side, offers views of the Hong Kong and Kowloon skylines, as well as many other touristy but fun attractions.

Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery

Mostly of interest to infrastructure buffs, but to its credit this small propaganda exercise manages to make even, say, sewage treatment reasonably interesting with well-presented exhibits.

Man Mo Temple

Hong Kong Island's, oldest temple. It was built in the 1840s

Ocean Park

Check out Ocean Park on the southern side of Hong Kong Island.

Beaches

The many beaches of the southern coast are a nice escape on a sunny day, especially outside the weekends when they're often packed. Repulse Bay is largest and the most popular of the bunch.

Shopping Malls

Causeway Bay

Probably the best place for shopping in Hong Kong in terms of variety and price.

IFC Mall

Upscale shopping mall located in Hong Kong's newest and tallest development, the International Financial Centre complex right above MTR Hong Kong/Central stations.

Times Square

Is a shopping centre in Causeway Bay, with an excellent concentration of mid-price range shops and restaurants.

Pacific Place

A well organized shopping mall near Central. Pleasant for shopping on mid price range to expensive branded goods.

The Landmark

Right in the centre of expensive real estate in Central, the focus of all the most expensive designer fashion in Hong Kong.

Markets

Stanley Market

On the southern side of the Island is this reasonably pleasant outdoor market filled with stalls selling all kinds of things.

Chun Yeung Street Markets

Is a local market, near the North Point Tram Terminus. You can find traditional Chinese food, especially Hokkien style food there. There is a variety of household items, clothes and fresh food there. It is a typical bazaar in the Hong Kong Island.

Lanes

Buy Chinese dresses, watches, leather bags and many other things here. Li Yuen Street West and Li Yuen Street East, between Queens Road and Des Voeux Road Central

Cat Street

Probably the best place to buy souvenirs, lots of Mao memorabilia, porcelain, budda statues and "antiques". Lok Ku Rd, walk down Hollywood Road towards the west, when you see the Man Mo temple walk down the stairs on the right hand side.